Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs

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Description

Thank you for your interest in The Empire District Electric Company (A Liberty Utilities Company). For over 100 years, our workforce has been serving our customers with pride. As we face the challenges of the future, we will continue to build on our reputation of providing excellent customer service through a skilled, highly motivated workforce. We provide our employees with a challenging work environment, while maintaining a company culture of high ethical standards. Five core competencies are valued in all employees – Customer Focus, Teamwork, Effective Communication, Personal Accountability/Initiative and Flexibility/Adaptability. We believe these competencies are keys to success at Empire District, and it is our mission to recruit, hire, train, and retain such individuals.

Mandate:

This position reports directly to the President of Liberty Utilities Central, indirectly reports to the Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp - Chief Legal Counsel and is primarily responsible for managing the legal aspects relating to regulation in the Central Region (Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Illinois). A major emphaqsis will be on handling all regulatory matters associated with government agencies and related statutes such as: the state public utilities commission's (Commission's), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other related agencies and compliances.

Job Functions:

Act as in house subject matter expert on all regulatory legal issues impacting lines of business in a dynamic and changing industry.

Handle complex legal issues and provide advice and counsel related to utility regulation including litigation, tariff review, proposed legislation, compliance requirements and customer complaints; provide research and writing as to regulatory requirements; assist in the preparation of filings and assist in the preparation of testimony in proceedings, including rate cases, while developing close relationships and representing the Company at the state utilities commission's.

Review decisions of courts, other states and the federal government to determine precedent in regulatory legal matters.

Draft and revise legal opinions, rules and regulations, including explaining and defending company goals and objectives.

Advise superiors on the probable legal or other impact of proposed changes in rules, regulations, and applicable laws.

Revew files, records and briefs and perform research on legal questions.

Complete accurate and timely reports required for regulatory filings.

Act as in house expert on regulatory issues including: state, local, federal regulations; and commissions.

Represent the company at industry workshops at the commission's or other organizations.

Gather, analyze, and ensure consistency of all financial filings with key regulators. Ensure that all filings are consistent with proper financialreporting.

Assist in execution of deferred energy and rate cases, including preparing witnesses before and during proceedings and hearing, before the commissioners, FERC and legislators.

Support corporate governance functions for affiliates in multiple US jurisdictions, assist with due diligence relating to Mergers and Acquisitions, finance transactions and provide commercial advice and assistance to the regulatory team.

Assist in preparation of financial and cost-based analyses to support future rate cases.

Provide, upon request and contingent of availability of time, assistance to other similar utilities owned or controlled by Liberty Utilities.

React and respond to external queries and requests relating to various legal issues.

Assist in corporate initiatives in the creating and implementing of governance and corporate policies.

Minimum requirements:

Juris Doctor Degree from a Accredited Law Schools with at least 5 years of experience in general corporate law with an emphasis and knowledge of regulatory law, contract review, drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements required. Licensed attorney to practice law and in good standing in all jurisdictions.